Nash Metropolitan Tires

The Nash Metropolitan uses one tire size in the years covered here: 520-13 for both 1955 and 1956. The available products for that size are built for 13-inch rims, and listed rim widths include 3.5 inches and 3.50 to 4.00 inches depending on the tire. All of the tires offered in this size are bias-ply designs.

That makes the first fitment check fairly straightforward: verify that your Nash Metropolitan still has its correct 13-inch wheels and that the wheel width falls within the listed range for the tire you are considering. After that, the real choice becomes appearance and intended use, since blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions are all available in the same basic size.

A 520-13 tire on a Nash Metropolitan is an older numeric bias-ply size designation. In that system, 520 refers to the nominal section width in inches with the decimal omitted, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. It is not a modern metric size, and it should be matched to a bias-ply tire built for a 13-inch rim.

That older sizing format matters because a modern radial marked in metric dimensions will not read the same way on the sidewall, even if the wheel diameter is similar. When replacing tires on a Nash Metropolitan, use the 520-13 designation as your reference point and then confirm the actual wheel and rim width on the car before finalizing the selection.

The Nash Metropolitan uses a 13-inch rim with the 520-13 tire size fitted in both 1955 and 1956. The listed tires in this size show a 13-inch rim diameter, with product fitments covering rim widths from 3.5 inches up to 4.00 inches. There is no wheel diameter change across the years covered here.

Rim diameter is still worth confirming on the actual car because older collector cars are sometimes fitted with replacement wheels over the years. On a Nash Metropolitan, a 13-inch wheel is the baseline requirement, and then you can narrow the choice by checking wheel width and deciding whether a blackwall, narrow whitewall, or wide whitewall look best suits the car.

The tires offered for the Nash Metropolitan in 520-13 are all bias-ply designs, and a tube is required. That fits the period construction used for this small mid-1950s car and is the correct approach for the bias-ply products available in the listed size. Tube use is part of the fitment, not an optional cosmetic detail.

When planning a tire change on a Nash Metropolitan, make sure tubes are part of the installation rather than focusing only on the outer tire size. Proper tube, flap, and wheel condition all matter on a collector car, especially one that may spend long periods parked and then return to use for shows, tours, or occasional weekend driving.

Nash Metropolitan tires in 520-13 are available in three sidewall styles: blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. The listed examples include a Firestone blackwall, Premium Sport narrow whitewalls, and a Firestone 2.00-inch wide whitewall. All are bias-ply tires sized for the same 13-inch fitment.

That gives a Nash Metropolitan owner some room to tune the car's appearance without changing the underlying size. A blackwall usually suits a simpler driver presentation, while narrow and wide whitewalls can push the look toward a more period-styled restoration. The best choice depends on how original you want the car to appear and which visual treatment matches the trim and overall finish.

Two brands are represented for Nash Metropolitan tires in the 520-13 size: Firestone and Premium Sport. Firestone offerings appear in the Classic Bias Ply series, while Premium Sport offerings appear in the Premium Sport Lowrider series. All of the listed products remain bias-ply tires built around the same basic fitment.

Brand choice on a Nash Metropolitan often comes down to the look you want as much as the name on the sidewall. Some owners prefer a more traditional Firestone presentation, while others focus on the specific whitewall width or styling details offered by Premium Sport. Since the size stays the same, comparing sidewall treatment and overall restoration intent is usually the most useful next step.

For a 1955 or 1956 Nash Metropolitan, the size itself is straightforward because both years use 520-13 on a 13-inch rim. The remaining variables are wheel width and visual style, since the listed products include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall bias-ply tires. The available rim width figures include 3.5 inches and 3.50 to 4.00 inches depending on the product.

Start by measuring or verifying the wheel on the car, then compare that to the tire's stated rim width range. After the wheel check, decide whether your Nash Metropolitan is being kept as a casual driver, a period-style restoration, or a show-focused car, because sidewall style can change the character of the car even when the formal tire size does not.

The Nash Metropolitan is offered here in two tire series: Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Premium Sport Lowrider. Both series are available in the same 520-13 bias-ply size, but they differ in presentation, especially in sidewall treatment. Firestone appears in blackwall and wide whitewall form, while Premium Sport appears in narrow whitewall variations.

That means the series decision is mainly about period look rather than a change in wheel diameter or basic fitment. A Nash Metropolitan owner trying to recreate a conservative mid-1950s appearance may lean one way, while someone wanting a more pronounced custom-era whitewall look may lean another. Since both remain bias-ply tires, the driving character stays closer to original than it would with a radial conversion.

A Nash Metropolitan should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Clean concrete is acceptable, but long-term storage is better with barriers under the tires and with inflation checked regularly. Bias-ply tires benefit from stable conditions because sidewalls and casings can take a set when left undisturbed for long periods.

If the Nash Metropolitan will sit for months at a time, move it periodically or support it in a way that reduces prolonged flat spotting. Collector cars are often driven infrequently, so storage habits matter almost as much as mileage. Good storage preserves ride quality, protects the sidewalls, and helps the car feel more settled when it goes back on the road.

Tires on a Nash Metropolitan should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly at regular intervals during the year, even if the car covers very few miles. A proper inspection includes air pressure, sidewall cracking, tread condition, valve stems, tube-related issues, and signs of impact damage or uneven wear. Because the Metropolitan uses bias-ply tires, the condition of the casing deserves as much attention as tread depth.

Low annual mileage can hide problems on a collector car, so do not judge the tires only by appearance from a few feet away. A Nash Metropolitan that spends most of its life in a garage can still develop age-related issues that show up only on close inspection. Frequent checks are especially important before club events, tours, or highway driving.

Tires on a Nash Metropolitan should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, deformation, or repeated air-loss issues indicate deterioration, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires often age out long before they wear out. That is especially true for bias-ply tires on cars that are driven only occasionally and spend extended periods parked.

A Nash Metropolitan owner should think of replacement as a condition decision rather than a tread-depth decision alone. If the car starts to feel harsh, wanders more than usual, shows visible sidewall checking, or has a tire that has been run underinflated, it is time for a closer evaluation. Regular professional inspection is the safest way to judge an aging collector tire.

The Nash Metropolitan uses the 520-13 size across the 1955 and 1956 years covered here, and the available replacement products are bias-ply tires in that size. The listed offerings include Firestone Classic Bias Ply and Premium Sport Lowrider series tires with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. Those options reflect the period-style replacement market available for the car.

If originality is the priority, use the 520-13 size as the foundation and then compare the sidewall look to factory literature, original photographs, or marque-club guidance for your specific Nash Metropolitan. The exact cosmetic treatment can matter in restoration work, especially on a compact car where tire appearance is a visible part of the car's stance and personality.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect both the presentation and judged authenticity of a Nash Metropolitan. The right 520-13 size preserves the car's stance, wheel opening relationship, and period driving character, while an incorrect size or modern-looking substitute can change the appearance noticeably. Sidewall treatment also plays a role because whitewall width is visually prominent on a car of this scale.

For a restoration-minded Nash Metropolitan owner, tires should be treated as part of the car's finished detail work rather than a final afterthought. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts tend to notice whether the tire size and sidewall style suit the era. If the car is aimed at concours or marque-level judging, compare your choice with club references and period imagery before making the final decision.

Nash Metropolitan tires are offered here in blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles, all in the correct 520-13 size. Any of those can suit a mid-1950s presentation depending on how the specific car was equipped and how authentic or personalized the restoration is intended to be. The key is that the sidewall style should match the period look of the car rather than fight against it.

A conservative restoration may favor a simple blackwall or restrained whitewall, while a more visual show presentation may lean toward a more prominent white band. Because the Nash Metropolitan is such a style-driven compact, the sidewall choice has a larger visual effect than many owners expect. Period photos and model-specific restoration references are the best way to settle the question for an individual car.

Properly fitted bias-ply tires in the correct 520-13 size can be suitable for public-road use on a Nash Metropolitan when the tires, tubes, wheels, suspension, and brakes are all in sound condition. The car was designed in an earlier era, so its steering feel, braking distances, and straight-line stability will not match a modern vehicle. Tire condition and proper inflation are especially important on a light, short-wheelbase collector car.

A Nash Metropolitan should be driven with the expectations appropriate to a 1950s compact, not with modern traffic assumptions. Before regular road use, make sure the chassis and wheel hardware are inspected along with the tires themselves. The tire may be correct, but safe operation still depends on the complete mechanical condition of the car and on conservative driving habits.

Before driving a Nash Metropolitan, check tire pressure, sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, wheel security, and any signs of tube-related leakage or slow deflation. On a bias-ply-equipped collector car, you should also look for flat spotting after storage and inspect for cracking or bulges that may not have been present on the last outing. A quick walk-around is not enough if the car has been parked for an extended period.

That routine is especially important on a Nash Metropolitan because these cars are often driven seasonally or only on fair-weather days. Add brake feel, steering play, fluid checks, and a brief low-speed shakedown if the car has been sitting. A few careful minutes before departure can prevent a minor tire issue from becoming a roadside problem.

A Nash Metropolitan fitted with period-style bias-ply tires should be driven at sensible, moderate speeds that respect both the car's original design and the age-conscious nature of collector-car use. Even with new reproduction tires, the handling responses, braking reserve, and lane stability of a 1950s compact remain different from those of a modern car. Smooth operation matters more than chasing higher cruising speed.

For most owners, that means treating the Nash Metropolitan as a relaxed secondary-road and fair-weather touring car rather than a high-speed interstate commuter. Keep speeds appropriate to traffic, road surface, weather, and the car's mechanical condition. If the steering feels nervous, the car follows road grooves, or the tires show any age-related concerns, reduce speed and inspect the car before continuing.